Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR - Richard Agar expects different threat from Robins

Only last Friday, they vanquished the Robins 48-18 to set up a Challenge Cup semi-final with Wigan Warriors on Saturday week, and they meet again in Super League this afternoon.

Leeds – who sit fourth – also host Catalans Dragons next Wednesday before making their tilt for Wembley so it would be easy to see why they may have one eye on those proceedings.

But Agar concedes they have two important fixtures to “negotiate” first and, despite last week’s result, he is not envisaging an easy ride from Tony Smith’s KR.

“The fact Tony is going to change his team will give them renewed energy,” he said, with the Australian altering the bulk of his squad.

“People are getting an opportunity to play for spots and they will want to right some wrongs from last week. The mindset for us is to get ourselves ready to start again and to put the same concentration and commitment into that defensive effort as we did for the bulk of the game last week.”

Rhinos are in an enviable position in that, with players returning after injury and Covid-related issues, Agar says they could have two sides of 17 to choose from when it comes to Catalans.

He intends to rest some players in that contest given the proximity of the Cup semi-final but Super League remains important, too.

“We are in the top-four at the moment and that’s where we are trying to stay,” added Agar.

“Our performance in those two games is important to try and get into the semi-final in the right form and the right frame of mind – and there’s a number of spots to be played for too. We are not looking too far ahead; it (semi) is a big game but it is one step at a time before we get to that.”

Loose forward Cameron Smith hopes to get the all-clear from a specialist today to return from a broken jaw and Brad Dwyer, who tested positive for Covid, plus Konrad Hurrell, Bodene Thompson and Corey Hall, all isolating, could all feature against Dragons.

Leeds are mourning the loss of legendary Ray Batten, the ex-Great Britain loose forward who made 434 appearances for them and has died on his 75th birthday.

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James Mitchinson